Hammock



Nov. 24, 1936. F, M. POWERS HAMMOCK 2 sheets-sheet 1 Filed May 17, 1935 finan 515,5

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"2 sheets-sheet 2' Nov. A24, 1936. F. M. POWERS HAMMOCK Filed May 17, 1935 Patented Nov. 24, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HAMMOCK Application May 17, 1935, Serial No. 22,101

1 Claim. (Cl. 5-123) This invention relates to improvements in hammocks. Amo-ng the features of my invention is the provision of a hammock that can be easily and cheaply made and assembled. My improved hammock is also strong and durable.

Among the features of my invention is the provision of seams across the ends of the hammock in which are located sticks or stiffening members provided with holes which form a simple means for attaching the supporting ropes at the ends. Another feature is the provision of a single ro-pe at each end, the strands of which can be easily equalized or said ropes may be selfequalizing.

Other features and advantages of my invention will appear more fully as I proceed with my specification.

In that form of device embodying the features of my invention shown in the accompany drawings- Figure l is a top plan view; Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation; Fig. 3 is a View taken as indicated by the line 3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a View taken as indicated by the line 4 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a view taken as indicated by the line 5 of Fig. l; and Fig. 6 is a View taken as indicated by the line 6 of Fig. 2.

As shown in the drawings, the hammock includes a substantially rectangular piece of flexible material I0 such as cloth, fabric, webbing, or the like, provided at each end with a tubular portion, here shown in the form of a relatively wide hem II.

Each hem is provided with four transverse holes extending therethrough and in each hem is inserted a stick I2 which may be of any suitable stiif or rigid material, for example, wood, metal, or the like. These sticks may be straight or curved. As here sho-wn, they are slightly curved. Each stick is provided with four holes registering with the holes in the hem. Through each hole is inserted a metal tubular member I3 in the form of a long grommet so that its flanged ends I3=L and I3b will cover the material in the hem I I. Under the ange I3b there may be the usual washer I 3c.

At each end I provide one rope I4 with its ends fastened in the end holes. The rest of the rope is laced through a supporting member and the intermediate holes. As here shown, the supporting member is in the form of a ring I5. This construction provides four strands of the rope extending from the supporting member I5, one to each of the four holes in the end of the hammock. Since the rope is fastened only at the ends, its intermediate portion is free to move or to be moved through the ring and the intermediate holes to equalize the strain on the four strands.

In assembling the hammock, I prefer to provide the hems in the ends of the material I0 first. I then insert the sticks, and in one operation punch the holes through the hem material and the stick. The tubular members I3 can then be inserted and the ropes then attached.

The sticks l2 are preferably in the form of slats and arranged more or less edgewise with respect to the strain. This gives great strength with relatively light-weight material. With the construction as shown, the hammock is always kept in its flattened condition. That is, the ropes passing through the holes in the hems and sticks prevent the cloth at the ends from being pulled or gathered or wrinkled toward the centers by a weight in the hammock.

I6 indicates a pillow and I'I, I'I are ilounces that may be provided at the sides of the hammock, if desired.

It is to be noted that a portion of the rope I4 between the two central holes I3, I3, lies under the stick I2. This makes a truss construction that strengthens the stick and lessens likelihood of breakage of the stick between the central holes. In other words, the stick is most likely to break in the center. By passing the rope I4 under the stick at the center, the stick is braced or trussed against breakage. The rope I4 between the holes I3, I3 is held under tension and thus acts as a tension member or truss member bracing the stick against breakage.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in the appended claim, in which it is my intention to claim all novelty inherent in my invention as broadly as possible, in View of the prior art.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

A hammock, including; a substantially rectangular piece of flexible fabric with tubular portions at the ends, said tubular portions being provided with a plurality of transverse holes therethrough; a stick at each end in the tubular portion, said stick having a plurality of holes therethrough registering with the holes in the tubular portion; a supporting member at each end with a hole therethrough; and a single rope at each end with its ends fastened to the end holes in the stick and its intermediate portion laced through the hole in the supporting member and the intermediate holes in the stick, a portion of said rope lying under the stick between two holes.

FRANK M. POWERS. 

